# Could I use Splenda to make.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 30, 2007, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702 "2007-07-30T16:17:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/1 "2007-07-30T16:17:50Z")
Sugar free caramel? What is caramel other than heated sugar and maybe some butter and maybe some cream (for the saucy aspect). Since Splenda was, at one point, real sugar, is there any reason why I just can’t use it instead? I know that under magnification Splenda and sugar look different, but is it enough of a change to prevent the same properties when heated? ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/2 "2007-07-30T16:47:06Z")
I don’t think so, but if someone corrects me, listen to them. You can definitely use maltitol, though. I’ve done that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/3 "2007-07-30T16:50:29Z")
I don’t think it’s going to caramelize…just burn. I’m not very good with science but to me, caramel is sticky. Sugar is sticky when it melts or gets wet. I’ve spilled a lot of diet soda in my time, including Diet Coke made with Splenda. It is not sticky. Therefore…sugar substitutes are not sticky and you can’t make caramel sauce out of them. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/4 "2007-07-30T16:50:53Z")
A quick google of ‘carmelizing splenda’ seems to indicate that it won’t. [http://rec.mailarchive.ca/food.cooking/2006-12/4861.html](http://rec.mailarchive.ca/food.cooking/2006-12/4861.html) A quick test: hold a teaspoon full over a burner and see if it melts. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/5 "2007-07-30T16:51:55Z")
Two things about Splenda. One is that a half cup of Splenda equals the sweetness of a full cup of sugar. The other is that it reacts somewhat differently when subjected to heat. [http://splenda.com/page.jhtml?id=splenda/cookingbaking/sb\_tips.inc](http://splenda.com/page.jhtml?id=splenda/cookingbaking/sb_tips.inc) > [@](#): > > Caramel Sauces > When heating SPLENDA® Sugar Blend for Baking alone to melt or caramelize, it will dissolve more readily with the addition of a small amount of water. Saucepan caramelization happens more quickly with this product compared to pure sugar, so watch the process carefully so that it doesn’t overheat or burn. [http://www.splenda.ca/en/tips/index\_granular.asp](http://www.splenda.ca/en/tips/index_granular.asp) > [@](#): > > In recipes where the amount of sugar is quite high, sugar often contributes significantly to structure and texture. > > • Frosting, candy, fudge, caramel, pecan pies, angel food or pound cake: > For best results only replace about 25% of the sugar required by creating a blend of sugar and SPLENDA® Granular instead of a full sugar replacement. Check those Splenda cooking tips sites for more advice about how to blend Spenda and sugar. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/6 "2007-07-30T18:50:21Z")
[QUOTE=adam yax] Sugar free caramel? What is caramel other than heated sugar and maybe some butter and maybe some cream (for the saucy aspect). Since Splenda was, at one point, real sugar, is there any reason why I just can’t use it instead? I know that under magnification Splenda and sugar look different, but is it enough of a change to prevent the same properties when heated? [/QUOTE] The major problem is simply going to be the amounts. Sucralose is much, much sweeter than sucrose, and most of what’s present in a package of Splenda is basically a bulking and stabilizing agent (usually maltodextrin.) If you could get enough pure sucralose it might caramelize, but I can’t say for sure what effect the difference in structure would have. Basically, if you tried to use a box of Splenda, you’d mostly be caramelizing (or trying to caramelize, since I don’t know if it’s possible) maltodextrin. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/7 "2007-07-30T20:44:19Z")
No, but if you get a product called “Diabetisweet” its made from sugar alcohols and it DOES caramelize. During my sugar-free ice cream making phase I was able to make butter toffee using Diabetisweet and butter. Other than the fact that it never quite became “toffee brown” – it stopped browning at light tan – it was darn tasty. I do remember that the basic recipe (equal volumes butter and sweetener) yielded a toffee with a lot of waste butter. Probably a lesser volume of butter would be better. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/8 "2007-07-30T21:04:28Z")
[QUOTE=asterion] The major problem is simply going to be the amounts. [/QUOTE] Splenda sells specially formulated bulk Splenda designed for baking purposes. It’s right there at the websites I linked to. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/9 "2007-07-31T01:32:19Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] Splenda sells specially formulated bulk Splenda designed for baking purposes. It’s right there at the websites I linked to. [/QUOTE] But that has sugar in it. The question in the OP was whether or not you could make sucrose-free caramel using sucralose. And it doesn’t matter how bulk it is, the vast majority of the mix is going to be a bulking agent. Look, sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sucrose. I’m not sure if that’s gram to gram or mole to mole or what (it doesn’t really matter, as I am about to show), but let’s say it’s mole to mole. Sucralose has a molecular weight of 397.64 while sucrose has a molecular weight of 342.30, so 1 gram of sucrose is the same molar amount as 1.16 grams of sucralose. But to get the same sweetening power of sucrose using sucralose, you only need 1.94 micrograms of sucralose. (Gram to gram would be 1.67 micrograms of sucralose). So let’s say you need a cup of sugar (that should be about 8 ounces or 227 grams.) The equivalent amount of sucralose you need would be about 0.44 grams. There simply has to be some sort of bulking agent to make it possible to easily measure out an appropriate amount of sucralose. So, unless you are making the sweetest (or biggest) freaking caramel I’ve ever heard of, you’ll never be able to use enough sucralose by itself. A packet of Splenda weighs one gram, and in that one gram is (according to my math) about 0.00000167 grams of sucralose and 0.99999833 grams of maltodextrin, or about 600,000 times as much bulking agent as sucralose. So basically you’d have to caramelize whatever the bulking agent is and the sucralose is along for the ride. And, as far as I know, maltodextrin does not caramelize. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/10 "2007-07-31T01:42:19Z")
[QUOTE=adam yax] Since Splenda was, at one point, real sugar, is there any reason why I just can’t use it instead? I know that under magnification Splenda and sugar look different, but is it enough of a change to prevent the same properties when heated? [/QUOTE] Splenda is **a** sugar, but at no point was it ever cane sugar like you’re thinking it was. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/11 "2007-07-31T02:09:45Z")
Oh, good grief. It’s obvious that the OP just didn’t happen to know about Splenda Sugar Blend for Cooking. That’s the product he wants. Talk about about whether sucralose caramelizes vanishes as soon as someone sets in front of you an already formulated version designed to caramelize. Why even bother wasting the time to talk about Splenda packets when the baking product is in every store? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/12 "2007-07-31T02:59:22Z")
[QUOTE=kittenblue] Splenda is **a** sugar, but at no point was it ever cane sugar like you’re thinking it was. [/QUOTE] It indeed can be made starting from sucrose. The patent literature gives other possibilities as well, such as sucrose-6-esters. I believe that [this](http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=HK79284&F=0) is the original patent from Tate & Lyle (but I’m not sure) and [here](http://v3.espacenet.com/origdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=EP0708110&QPN=US4380476&RPN=US4380476#) is a later patent using a different method. Several methods are described in the later patent from Talres Development and another method is Example 3 in the Tate & Lyle patent. First, the Tate & Lyle patent. You’re right that this particular method doesn’t really start with sucrose but with already-chlorinated sucrose formed earlier from already-acelyated and benzylated sucrose, but then the question is where does that protected sugar come from initially. Anyway, now for the Talres Development patent. One starts with sucrose in pyridine, is partially acetylated using acetic anhydride then chlorinated with sulphuryl chloride with some chloroform added to control the speed of the reaction. They then work it up, followed by deacetylation and some purification. A second method starts with sucrose, goes through a transesterification (the reference is given in the patent), then chlorinated with sulphuryl chloride and worked up. A third method starts with sucrose and sodium carbonate in water and then uses benzyl chloride to monobenzylate the sucrose (giving two products.) The products are then chlorinated as above and purified. A fourth method described is where they start to get fancy, presumably for ease of large-scale synthesis. Still, though, it starts with sucrose. Same with the fifth method. There are probably more methods and more patents out there, but I hate searching the patent literature. [This thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=413391&highlight=sucralose) mentions that it’s possible to make sucralose using phosgene. In any case, I find that the patent literature is always a gigantic pain in the butt and that reading patents is very frustrating. > [@Expano Mapcase](#): > > Oh, good grief. It’s obvious that the OP just didn’t happen to know about Splenda Sugar Blend for Cooking. That’s the product he wants. Talk about about whether sucralose caramelizes vanishes as soon as someone sets in front of you an already formulated version designed to caramelize. Why even bother wasting the time to talk about Splenda packets when the baking product is in every store? The OP said that he wanted to know if he could make a sugar-free caramel using Splenda. If it is a sugar blend, then it’s not sugar-free, even if the amount of sugar is reduced. If I was the OP, I’d go looking for a sucralose-malitol (or other sugar alcohol if possible, as maltitol has several problems) blend or just use a sugar alcohol. Malitol would probably the easiest one to find (as well as the cheapest) but I’d probably prefer to use something like erythritol or xylitol. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/13 "2007-07-31T03:40:44Z")
**Exapno** , like **asterion** said, the Splenda Blend is Splenda and sugar. You can buy Splenda - JUST Splenda - in boxes and bags just like real sugar. Except a cup of Splenda, while having a comparable amount of SWEETNESS to a cup of sugar, will weigh a hell of a lot less because it’s got a lot of air inbetween those little filler crystals. Splenda != packs of sweetener. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/14 "2007-07-31T15:02:48Z")
I just want to clarify somethings here. First, my interest is in making sugar free caramel. Not sugar reduced, since my father is diabetic. Second, I figured that Splenda was my best best since it started as a form of sugar. I had looked at the splenda website, but I could only find some recipes for things like sticky buns that called for corn syrup. For some uses the splenda sugar blend will work, but I will look into the suggestions by **Hello Again** and **asterion**. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/15 "2007-07-31T17:27:09Z")
Are diabetics OK with sugar alcohols? I think they will need or use insulin as well to digest. I don’t think diabetics should have alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/16 "2007-07-31T17:44:14Z")
[QUOTE=Christopher] Are diabetics OK with sugar alcohols? I think they will need or use insulin as well to digest. I don’t think diabetics should have alcohol. [/QUOTE] Yes, sugar alcohols (sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, etc.) form the basis of virtually all hard candy for diabetics. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/17 "2007-07-31T17:51:46Z")
[QUOTE=Christopher] Are diabetics OK with sugar alcohols? I think they will need or use insulin as well to digest. I don’t think diabetics should have alcohol. [/QUOTE] A sugar alcohol has no relation to ethanol (generally known as alcohol.) Well, they both have alcohol functional groups, but they’re very very different otherwise. Xylitol for instance is 1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxypentane with the stereocenters (2S,3R,4R). ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/18 "2007-07-31T18:59:55Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] Yes, sugar alcohols (sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, etc.) form the basis of virtually all hard candy for diabetics. [/QUOTE] Yep, though, for a general FYI, many of those hard candies are NOT low in carbohydrates, something that diabetics also should cut down on. I ate sugar-free hard candies when I was trying to quit smoking so I had bags and bags of them around. Then I was diagnosed diabetic and had to go on a low-carb diet. I happened to casually check the label on my hard candies and my eyes nearly popped out. They were all LOADED with carbs. I had to throw every single one of them away. Another general FYI, sugar alcohols, especially malitol, can give many people a miserable case of the runs. The quantity varies by person, so **adam yax** , if you do use a sugar alcohol, warn your dad not to eat too much, or to make sure he only eats it when there’s a bathroom and shower handy. I only use liquid Splenda and/or Stevia (liquid and powder), neither of which will work for caramel, but I am intrigued by the possibility of eating caramel again. Please post the recipe when you figure out what you’re going to do. I love caramel. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/19 "2007-07-31T19:58:02Z")
> [@](#): > > A sugar alcohol has no relation to ethanol (generally known as alcohol.) Well, they both have alcohol functional groups, but they’re very very different otherwise. Xylitol for instance is 1,2,3,4,5-pentahydroxypentane with the stereocenters (2S,3R,4R). I am aware of this, though I would say your definition of “no relation” is somewhat different from mine. The question still remains as to whether or not they are okay for diabetics. ETA: Nevermind i see it has been answered. Can diabetics eat alcohol sugars without care or are they limited in the quantities they can have? Can all diabetics have alcohol sugars? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702/20 "2007-07-31T20:06:19Z")
Some sugar alcohols have an impact on blood sugar, but it is generally much less than that of sugar (it varies by specific type of sugar alcohol just how much less impact on blood sugar there is). Here 's a chart that shows the glycemic index of various sugar alcohols: > **[How Sugar Alcohols Affect Your Body](https://www.verywellfit.com/what-are-sugar-alcohols-2242525)** > > Compare various sugar alcohols, such as maltitol, erythritol, and sorbitol to see how they impact blood glucose levels and which one is best for you. Some types have almost no effect on blood sugar, others have about 1/2 the effect sugar has. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-use-splenda-to-make/413702.md?page=2)